Researchers have discovered the oldest human fossil in Western Europe, a fossilized face fragment nicknamed “Pink” that dates back between 1.1 million and 1.4 million years. It does not match any known species from the past and is tentatively linked to Homo erectus. The discovery is important for understanding the timeline of human settlement in Western Europe and bridging the evolutionary gap between early human ancestors in Europe and Homo antecessor. The finding suggests multiple waves of human settlement in Europe, with long periods without human presence. The region where Pink was found, the Sima del Elefante cave site, has produced other significant fossils. The discovery sheds light on early human evolution and possible climate events that may have wiped out certain species in Western Europe. The researchers are continuing to excavate the site, hoping to find more surprises that may further our understanding of human evolution in Europe.
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